Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon
Essential Oil
(Citrus limon)

Lemon Essential Oil has a refreshing scent that is thought to stimulate the liver and has a gentle, calming effect. Lemon oil is thought to promote clarity of mind and purpose, as well as generally increasing one’s well-being and physical energy. We’ve found this wonderful fine Italian organic Lemon to be consistently the freshest, brightest variety. The cold pressed essential oil is a magnificent concentrate of this tart fruit — about fifteen-hundred lemons are used to make one pound of essntial oil.

The oil is produced from the outer peel of the lemon fruit through cold pressing. Lemon is considered one of the lightest in aromatherapy, a nice bright ‘top note’. The high temperatures needed for steam distillation would destroy the subtle, fresh aroma of lemon oil, which is maintained by cold-pressing the fresh peel. Cold-pressing will yield six to seven pounds of oil from one ton of fresh fruit. Constituents of lemon oil include limonene, which is responsible for the oil’s tangy-fruity aroma, and citral, which is responsible for what we recognize as the lemon note in the aroma profile.

Lemon oil’s aroma is warming, enhancing and invigorating, and studies have shown it to have antidepressant effects. Lemon oil apparently has a significant effect on one’s ability to concentrate: During a university study in Japan, various essential oils were diffused into an office. When Lemon Essential Oil was diffused, 54% fewer errors were made, with Jasmine Oil, 33% fewer errors, and with Lavender Oil, 20% fewer. Diffusion of essential oils was found to increase test scores by up to 50% when diffused into study and test-taking areas. In addition to its uplifting and clarifying nature, emotionally, lemon is considered an opener of the heart. It is said to alleviate fears of losing oneself, bringing trust and security.

Lemon essential oil has been shown to eliminate many types of bacteria, and may be the most effective oil for disinfecting a room using a diffuser. It is often used in disinfecting blends with other antibacterial oils – what makes lemon oil particularly pleasing for this use is that its antiseptic properties are present with a lovely aroma. Lemon is a great modifier for medicinal-smelling oils like tea tree and eucalyptus. Lemon works synergistically on a therapeutic, aesthetic and emotional level. This is very important when working with blends containing strongly medicinal oils, which may have a tendency to produce a negative aesthetic or emotional effect in aroma-sensitive people.

In many European countries, the oil is considered somewhat of a ‘cure all’, particularly with infectious illness. Lemon also serves well as an insect repellent, alone or in blends.

Like Bergamot and grapefruit oils, the only caution noted is possible phototoxicity – it may make skin to which it is applied more sensitive to sunlight.
Suggested
Uses: Diffuse or add a few drops to a spray bottle with spring or purified water and spray about a room to disinfect and deodorize. Add 2 drops to a glass of water to disinfect. Combine with Peppermint Oil for a refreshing lift.
Possible Actions: Has traditionally been used for uplifting the spirit, antidepressant, stimulating, antibacterial, disinfectant.
Possible
Indications: Lemon essential oil can be supportive in cases of anxiety, stress; some infections. It has been studied to sharpen the awareness and improve test scores when diffuser during study and test-taking.
Cautions: Always test a small amount first for sensitivity or allergic reaction. If pregnant or under a doctor’s care, consult a physician. Lemon oil is photosensitizing; do not use on skin or do not expose skin where oil has been applied to sunlight or UV rays for 72 hours after application (note this with other citrus oils as well).
GRAS/FA Status:What is this? Listed GRAS. Read more…Blends and
Recipes: Lemon oil mixes well with: Chamomile Oil, Eucalyptus Radiata, Frankincense Oil, Geranium Oil, Peppermint Oil, Sandalwood Oil, and Ylang Ylang Oil.